Today, we will be taking a look at the 보니 grammar structure. Depending on what precedes it, the meaning can change a bit. So I will cover the 3 options and their rules and distinctions. With some example sentences for them all, of course! So let’s get into it.
~다 보니 Meaning & Usage
~다 보니 is used to mean “while in action, you realize something”. ~다 can be used to show something occurs when doing an action. While 보다 is “to look” and is used as “looking back/reflecting” on the action to realize something.
This realization always has to be because of the action and during it; so a sentence like “while I was running, I realized I didn’t have my book” does not work. That’s because forgetting your book was something that happened before the run, not during. Hopefully that makes sense!
Some example sentences would be:
수영을 몇개월 하다보니 건강했어요: After a few months of swimming, I realized I was healthy
케이크를 굽다보니 버터가 다 떨어졌다: As I baked the cake, I ran out of butter
그는 공부 하다보니 12시가 되고 말했어요: He said as he was studying, it became 12:00 am
Difference Between 다 보니 and 고 보니
Now that you have a grasp on ~다 보니, ~고 보니 grammar will be easy to understand! Basically, ~고 보니 is used after the action.
So 다 보니 vs 고 보니:
운동하고 보니 배가 고팠어요: after working out, I realized I was hungry.
운동하다 보니 배가 고팠어요: while I was working out, I realized I became hungry.
Here are some more examples of ~고 보니:
밥을 먹고보니 졸렸어요: after I ate, I was sleepy
지하철에서 타고보니 늦을 것 같아요: after I got on the subway, I realized I would be late
그는 알고보니 정말 착한 사람이었어요: after I got to know him, I realized that he is a very nice person.
~아/어 보니 Meaning
Next up ~아/어 보니 has the meaning of realizing something after trying an action. Typically, doing the action for the first time.
Some example sentences would be:
비빔밥을 만들어 보니, 정말 쉽더라고요: when I made bibimbap, it was really easy
9년간 운동을 해 보니, 뭐든지 할 수 있다는 자신감이 생겼어요: after working out for 9 years, I feel confident that I can do anything
어른이 되어 보니, 친절해지는 것이 중요하다는 것을 알아요: now that I’m an adult, I know it’s important to be kind
So to Recap; Here are the Quick Differences Between the 3!
- ~다 보니: to realize something while doing an action
- ~고 보니: to realize something after an action
- ~아/어 보니: to realize something after doing an action for the first time
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